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Hi Paul and welcome aboard. We have lots of fun here.
Deciding on building a sub is easy, once you do a little research.
Here's some rough estimates......VERY rough.
Expect it to take 2 years.
Minimal cost for a minimal sub is $20K ( very minimal )
The visibility isn't an issue, you're gonna love it !
Pressure vessel welds is only a small part of the fabrication process, but
can be pricey if you hire it out.
Learning to weld is fairly easy, learning to BE a welder on pressure
vessels could take years. It's too risky to be a novice welder on the hull
welds. There's LOTS of other welds you can make on the sub that aren't as
critical so buy a good stick welder, add a TIG torch set-up for a couple
hundred, and you're all set.
You can probably find a good welder student at the Building trades schools
in your area. Plumbers, sheetmetal, iron workers, etc. all have apprentice
programs and you can probably get lots of help from them.
The Kittredge designs are a good place to start, even if you don't use
them. Carsten, Emile just finished the new KSS sub and it's a good one. Much
like a "new and improved" K boat design. They have plans for that one and will
fabricate some of the parts too.
OK.....how to start.
Most guys have had good luck with building a full size mock-up to refine
their design parameters. I used wire and cardboard. Almost free and VERY
instructional. It made the design clear as to what I wanted. Saved me a TON of
work and money.
Hull size, shape, windows, weight balance, and many more things become
clear when you can sit inside the thing and envision just what you want.
Get some dedicated shop space that is yours for at least two years.
You can then order the steel. For the pressure hull, you can order a tank
all welded up fairly cheap but then all the stuff has to go through the window
holes. Not too bad if you use a KSS type design with a big hole in the front.
The window frames and hatch could be ordered as complete assemblies, and cut
into the tank. The more you do yourself, the more you save. If you hired out
most of the job, the cost will quickly reach $70K.
Go visit Nuytco in Vancouver and talk to them. Phil the owner is a real
great guy, WAY smart, and they have some very cool stuff you're gonna want to
see. Definitely time well spent.
Stay in touch with us on the mailing list, and ask LOTS of questions.
There's some really smart and helpful guys in this club.
If you can, come to this year's convention in Florida, where you can ride
in some of the subs.
You'll get hooked!
Again, welcome aboard. It's a great adventure!
Frank D.
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